North Korea threatens U.S. over rocket launches

Feb. 2, 2013
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The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-I (KSLV-I) takes off from its launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, 350 km south of Seoul. South Korea succeeded on Jan. 30 in its third attempt to put a satellite into orbit, in a high-stakes test of national pride after archrival North Korea got there first with a launch last month. / KARI AFP/Getty Images

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea is threatening to retaliate for what it calls U.S. double standards over recent rocket launches by Pyongyang and U.S. ally Seoul.

A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman did not elaborate on what that might entail in his comments Saturday to the official Korean Central News Agency. But Pyongyang has recently threatened to conduct its third nuclear test in response to what it calls U.S. hostility.

Washington says Seoul's rocket launch Wednesday had no military intent while Pyongyang's in December was a test of banned ballistic missile technology.

The U.N. Security Council has imposed new sanctions on Pyongyang for its launch. Pyongyang says it should be allowed to launch satellites for peaceful purposes.

Both Koreas say their satellites are working properly. U.S. experts say Pyongyang's satellite is apparently malfunctioning.

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